AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — With warmer temperatures and more sunlight in the evenings, spring is the perfect time to get up, get out and move more. That’s why Move Alabama — A Community Physical Activity Challenge runs throughout the month of April.

Move Alabama is a social marketing campaign of the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, also called EFNEP. As EFNEP state coordinator and a specialist with Alabama Extension at Auburn University, Erin Reznicek oversees the campaign.

“Movement has incredible benefits for our mental and physical well-being,” Reznicek said. “To experience those benefits, it just takes making one little tweak. That could be as easy as scheduling a 10 minute walk every day. You could walk first thing in the morning to get your body moving, awake and energized, or plan to walk during breaks at work.”

The Move Alabama campaign also encourages participation in local activities offered through county Extension offices and provides resources for movement inspiration.

Joining the Challenge

All it takes to participate in Move Alabama — A Community Physical Activity Challenge is a personal commitment to move more. However, participants can receive regular exercise and nutrition tips throughout April by joining the Move Alabama Facebook group and signing up for a text messaging service.

“Anyone can join the Facebook group and post about ways they’re moving more in their communities, which encourages others,” Reznicek said. “To join the text message group, all you have to do is text MoveAL to 833-545-0693. Once you do that, you’ll receive three texts a week that provide encouragement and education.”

Additionally, county Extension offices will host pop-up challenges. Optional activities range from active Easter egg hunts and garden work days to scavenger hunts and group walks at local parks. Challenge participants should call county Extension offices for details about upcoming Move Alabama events.

“Another hope for this challenge is that it gets people out in their communities to places they may not have been before,” Reznicek said. “Try to find a park that’s close to your work or home. Go there, and see what it’s like to walk around.”

Additional Movement Motivation

Reznicek encouraged Move Alabama participants to use the official flyer for additional inspiration.

“You can find this flyer in all of our county Extension offices, and it’s also available in the Facebook group,” Reznicek said. “Our hope is that participants will use the checklist on the back page as they do each item.”

Tasks listed fall into categories including Take a Walk, Build Strength, Move More and Make These Simple Changes. Suggestions include setting up an obstacle course with family or friends, finding and completing a stretch routine, walking around a local downtown and taking the stairs instead of an elevator.

Challenge Conclusion

At the end of April, challenge winners will be selected from a list of survey respondents. The survey will be shared in the Facebook group, through text messages and during local events. Winners will receive a certificate and items that help them achieve the long-term goal of moving more.

Although prizes are involved, Reznicek said she hopes the true payoff of the challenge will be healthier people and communities.

“When people develop the habit of adding movement to their days, their quality of life greatly increases,” Reznicek said. “I hope people learn to love finding those opportunities for movement. The more people engage in challenges like this one, the better Alabama will be.”

For more nutrition tips and exercise tricks, visit aces.edu.